Latest news with #FastFriday
Indianapolis Star
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
He broke both wrists, then 'kicked everyone's a--.' How Nolan Siegel became rising star
INDIANAPOLIS — Nolan Siegel sat in an ambulance with two broken wrists after his kart sandwiched between drivers and flipped over during a practice heat at SKUSA SuperNats in Las Vegas. There were no tears in the 11-year-old's eyes, just a broad smile. That same attitude and resilience would be required nine years later. Siegel's car hit the wall and flipped over on Fast Friday in 2024, leaving him with a backup vehicle heading into qualifying weekend for the 2024 Indianapolis 500. Qualifying produced the same fate: another crash. Siegel learned from the accidents and, with the 109th rendition of the Indy 500 race approaching, the 20-year-old is determined to redeem himself. 'This year it's way more exciting because instead of the goal being to qualify for the race, the goal is to win the race and that's a way better position to be in,' Siegel told IndyStar. 'Rather than dread going back on track after last year, I'm really excited to be competitive this year.' Siegel said his experience last year taught him how to stay positive in unfortunate situations. His biggest challenge was staying motivated during a time when he felt like 'every day there was something tough to work through.' Before Siegel ran the qualifying race, he told his father, Mark Siegel, that he would crash because of the car's poor downforce, and he did, causing him to miss last year's 500. Mark said it was for his son to accumulate experience and he believes the crashes helped Siegel's confidence. 'That crash was very character-building,' Mark said, seated in his son's infield trailer. 'He went out in the backup car after the initial crash and said, 'I know this thing is slow, but I'm going to give it 100% no matter what.' Having gone through the worst day in his racing life, that goes in the experience bank and it's something where if you can get through that, you can get through anything.' A month after the qualifying-day crash, Siegel responded with a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The 2023 Indy NXT Firestone Rookie of the Year signed a multi-year deal with Arrow McLaren three days after his victory in France, joining a team consisting of drivers Pato O'Ward and Christian Lundgaard. Siegel compared the group to a 'family that travels together.' He said the trio combines their different experiences to make their cars faster and help one another discern the best ways to build each other up. After practice Thursday, O'Ward likened Siegel's incident to when he crashed during an Indy 500 practice session in 2019. 'I told him after he got bumped, you're lucky you actually got bumped because it's miserable to drive out here with a car that sucks. I would much rather not be in the race than have to do the 200 laps with a car that is miserable,' O'ward said. 'This year, he's with a team that gives him room to showcase what he's got in speed. He's in good hands in that regard.' Arrow McLaren elevated O'Ward's previous performance engineer Kate Gundlach to Siegel's race engineer. Eric Hestekin was promoted to Siegel's performance engineer over the offseason as well. Former Indy 500 Rookie of the Year JR Hildebrand joined Arrow McLaren mid-May as a driver advisor. Hildebrand believes Siegel put last year's crash 'behind him' and called the California native 'cerebral,' praising him for his ability to receive feedback. 'That's such a big part of being able to be successful here. It's a complicated thing that we're doing, so the other side of that is if you've got the bandwidth to consume more information, that allows us to work through the program a little bit more quickly,' Hildebrand said. 'I've been really impressed with just his ability to take things. You see the outcome of that on track.' Siegel met Arrow McLaren team principal Tony Kanaan after his crash in May 2024. Kanaan praised the team for how they support Siegel and the former Indianapolis 500 champion said he chose Siegel with the goal to develop him. 'I think he's going to bring us some podiums for sure,' Kanaan told IndyStar. 'Having such a young kid that wants to learn so much, telling him your little tricks and then seeing him say, 'Wow that's how you did it,' … it's been rewarding for me. It reminds me how (Alex) Zanardi did it for me. 'We met here last year under very different circumstances so seeing him grow and make it to almost all Q2s and him having a decent month makes me feel confident that I'm able to pass through my experience to him. Now that he's here, he wants more. He closed the gap fast but that last bit is going to take experience which I can't buy or explain for him.' Winning was part of Kanaan's racing experience. It's also been part of Siegel's. On Annette's office desk in her Palo Alto home rests an 8.5 by 11 picture of an elated Siegel holding a trophy half the size of his body. For his 14th birthday, Annette and Mark Siegel let their son participate in the RoK Sonoma Series. 'He just kicked everyone's ass,' Annette told IndyStar. 'That for me is the moment when I went, 'OK, I think this is it.'' In the picture, a broad Siegel smile — similar to the one when he broke both wrists. Annette said mothers called him 'easy rider' when he was in grade school because of his tranquil demeanor. Through trial and triumph, the 20-year-old doesn't change. 'He keeps an incredibly cool head through it all,' said Siegel's sister, Sophia. 'The thing that I admire most about Nolan is that he's had a tough break, but also has had a lot of success. Success is a kind of thing that could give a kid a big ego and he has so much humility.' As for his perseverance over the last 12 months, his big sister takes credit. 'I would like to think that my tough love as a kid has instilled in him a sense of resilience and fortitude against hardship that has helped him today,' Sophia said. Sophia, 23, participated in the 2024 Fédération Equestre Internationale World Cup finals. She said Siegel attempted to ride a horse three times when he was younger, but fell each time. He settled for hijacking Sophia's pink toy convertible car. 'We had a Thomas the Train that would go around the little tracks and Nolan loved that,' Sophia said. 'He was always into anything with an engine and a motor, which is kind of funny to think about.' Siegel's brown labradoodle, Otis, rests his body on a couch. Across from Otis, Sophia's black Icelandic sheepdog, Baila, lies down on the floor underneath the table where Mark and Annette sit in Siegel's blue-and-white RV. Relaxed dogs, laughter and smiles dominate the atmosphere on Fast Friday morning as parents discuss their son's journey on a small patch of land on a lot at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For a brief moment at the end of their conversation with IndyStar, the smiles and laughter dissipated. Mark's eyes started to water as he shared what about his son, now a young man, makes him proud. 'The character, the grit, the persistence,' he said. 'I get emotional just talking about it. What more do you want from a kid?' Before her husband could utter another word, Annette interjected. The smiles returned.
Indianapolis Star
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Indianapolis Star
Who is racing in the 2025 Indy 500? See all the drivers heading to starting grid at IMS
(From left) Robert Shwartzman, Takuma Sato, Pato O'Ward, Row 1 for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 IndyCar Photos (From left) Scott Dixon, Felix Rosenqvist, Alex Palou, Row 2 for the 2025 Indianapolis 500. IndyCar Photos (From left) David Malukas, Christian Lundgaard, Marcus Ericsson, Row 3 for the 2025 Indianapolis 500 IndyCar Photos Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin (3) talks by his pit box Monday, May 19, 2025, during a practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Conor Daly (76) prepares to get interviewed Saturday, May 17, 2025, after qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Ed Carpenter Racing driver Alexander Rossi (20) sits on pit wall Monday, May 19, 2025, ahead of practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Chip Ganassi Racing driver Kyffin Simpson (8) sits in the pit box Monday, May 19, 2025, ahead of practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Ed Carpenter Racing driver Ed Carpenter (20) stands in pit lane during a yellow flag Wednesday, May 15, 2024, during the second day of practice ahead of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar A. J. Foyt Enterprises driver Santino Ferrucci (14) stands by his car Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during a practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Devlin DeFrancesco (30) of Canada fits bumps a teammate on Saturday, May 10, 2025, during the warm-up for the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/The Indianapolis Star Juncos Hollinger Racing driver Sting Ray Robb (77) prepares to put on his helmet Monday, May 19, 2025, after practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Ed Carpenter Racing driver Christian Rasmussen (21) talks by the infield medical center Monday, May 19, 2025, during a practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Arrow McLaren driver Kyle Larson (17) talks outside the medical facility Friday, May 16, 2025, during Fast Friday ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Louis Foster (45) of United Kingdom prepares to climb into his car Friday, May 9, 2025, during practice for the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/The Indianapolis Star PREMA Racing driver Callum Ilott (90) of United Kingdom high fives fans during the drivers parade on Saturday afternoon, May 10, 2025, just prior to the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Helio Castroneves with the Borg-Warner trophy. Castroneves won the Indianapolis 500 in 2001, '02, '09 and '21. IndyCar Photo Andretti Global driver Kyle Kirkwood (27) stands by his pit box Friday, May 16, 2025, during Fast Friday ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Arrow McLaren driver Nolan Siegel (6) of United States smiles while talking fans Friday, May 9, 2025, during an autograph session ahead of practice for the Sonsio Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/The Indianapolis Star Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2025 Indianapolis 500 driver IndyCar Photo DRR-Cusick Motorsports driver Jack Harvey (24) stands by his garage Tuesday, May 13, 2025, during a practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Andretti Global with Curb-Agajanian driver Colton Herta (26) stands by his pit box Friday, May 16, 2025, during Fast Friday ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gary Mook/For IndyStar Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver Graham Rahal (15) looks out on the track Thursday, May 15, 2025, during a practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Andretti Herta with Marco & Curb-Agajanian driver Marco Andretti (98) talks in pit lane Sunday, May 18, 2025, during Last Chance practice ahead of qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kristin Enzor/For IndyStar Meyer Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian driver Marcus Armstrong (66) gets out of his car Sunday, May 18, 2025, during Last Chance qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Bob Goshert/For IndyStar Dale Coyne Racing driver Rinus VeeKay (18) sits on pit wall Saturday, May 17, 2025, during qualifying for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Gary Mook/For IndyStar Team Penske driver Josef Newgarden (2) prepares to ride back to the garages Monday, May 19, 2025, after practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar Team Penske driver Will Power (12) zips up his fire suit Monday, May 19, 2025, ahead of practice for the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Grace Hollars/IndyStar
Axios
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Axios
Indianapolis 500 qualifying: What you need to know
We've got the need for speed. Lucky for us, it's Fast Friday. Driving the news: It's qualifying weekend for the Indianapolis 500. Vibe check: Quals are a lower key way to get a taste of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing. You get all the speed — we're talking 230-plus miles per hour — without the race day crowd. How it works: Qualifying starts at 11am Saturday and by 6pm spots 13-30 will be set. Drivers who qualified in the top 12 on Saturday will be back on track Sunday to secure their starting position. During top 12 qualifying, those who finish 7-12 get those spots for race day. The fastest six advance to the Firestone Fast Six later in the day to determine positions 1-6. The intrigue: Bumping is back. 34 drivers are competing for 33 spots in the field. Drivers who finished in the bottom four on Saturday come back on Sunday for a last chance to qualify. If you go: Fast Friday, the final day of practice before qualifying, starts at noon and the qualification draw starts at 6:15pm.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Where did Kyle Larson qualify for Indianapolis 500? 'Gets sketchier' each time for NASCAR star
INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Larson made the 2025 Indianapolis 500 starting grid in Saturday's qualifying, earning the 21st starting spot for the May 25 race on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Not that he enjoyed the process. Advertisement "I don't like qualifying here. It gets sketchier every time you go out," he said after his second qualifying run at 231.326 mph over four laps. His first qualifying attempt of 230.053 mph left him in 27th place. "It's good to get through it. I wish I had more speed," he said then. "Just get after it." It's been an eventful week for the Cup star attempting the double — completing the Indy 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. He crashed in Fast Friday practice. The day before that, he evaded a spinning Christian Rasmussen. Larson has made it clear that Cup is his priority this year. He has said he will make sure to get to Charlotte for the Cup race, even if it means leaving the Indy 500 early. If Larson leaves pre-race, 2013 race champ Tony Kanaan would hop into the car and start 33rd. Who raced in both Indy 500 and NASCAR on same day? Larson is the sixth driver to attempt the Double, though just four have driven in both on the same day: Advertisement John Andretti: 1994, 10th at Indy, 36th in Cup. Robby Gordon: '97, Indy was postponed by rain; 2000, 6th at Indy, 35th in Cup; '02: 8th at Indy, 16 in Cup; '03, 22nd at Indy, 17th in Cup; '04, stepped out of Indy during a rain delay in favor of Jaques Lazier, finished 20th in Cup. Tony Stewart: 1999, 9th at Indy, 4th in Cup; 2001, 6th at Indy, 3rd in Cup, becoming the first driver to complete 1,100 miles. Kurt Busch: 2014, 6th at Indy, 18th in Cup. Davy Jones tried in 1995, but he failed to qualify for the Cup race. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Kyle Larson Indianapolis 500 qualifying today, placement, NASCAR star's double
Axios
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Weekend events: Indiana Peony Festival, Broad Ripple Art Fair and more
There are busy weekends in Indianapolis, and then there are really busy weekends in Indianapolis. Why it matters: This upcoming one is the latter. 🌸 Celebrate the state flower with food, vendors and live music during the 5th annual Indiana Peony Festival in Noblesville's historic Seminary Park. Flashback: Gov. Eric Holcomb declared that the third Saturday in May be known as Indiana Peony Festival Day on May 22, 2021. The free event runs from 10am-4pm. 🎨 Discover something that moves you at the 53rd OneAmerica Financial Broad Ripple Art Fair, 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday at the Indy Art Center. The vibe: More than 150 artists will sell their work, and Indy Jazz Fest will curate live music. The rest of our weekend picks: 🎭 See Broadway star Patti Murin put on a show when she does a pair of performances at The Cabaret, 8pm Friday and Saturday. Tickets start at $85. 🏉 See the nation's top rugby teams go at it during the USA Club Rugby XVs National Championships at Kuntz Stadium, Friday-Sunday. ⚾ Swing for the fences when the Indianapolis Indians host the Louisville Bats for a weekend series. Games start at 7:05pm Friday, 6:35pm Saturday and 1:35pm Sunday. Tickets start at $15. 🏳️🌈 Celebrate the intersectionality of the Asian American Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ communities at the free 2025 AAPI Pride Celebration, 7pm Friday at 10 East Arts Hub. RSVP here. 🎵 Rock with country singer Zach Top when he brings his " Cold Beer & Country Music" tour to Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park, 7:30pm Friday. Tickets start at $123. 🏀 Cheer on the Indiana Fever as they open the 2025 WNBA season at home against the Chicago Sky, 3pm Saturday. Tickets start at $85. 🏁 Race to IMS for Indy 500 Fast Friday and qualifiers. Fast Friday practice starts at noon and the qualification draw starts at 6:15pm Friday. Qualifying runs start at 11am Saturday and 4:05pm Sunday. Tickets start at $25 for Fast Friday and $30 for quals. 🏎️ Visit the graves of racing royalty during the Racing Legends driving tour at Crown Hill Cemetery, 1pm Saturday. 🎹 Listen to the sounds of the final Indianapolis Children's Choir performance of the 2024-25 season when they present " Dawning" at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 4pm Sunday.
